Hidden Agenda

Yesterday I arrived to a big meeting exactly one week early.  I walked out with my face flushed and checked my phone.  I had moved the date with an accidental swipe of the touchscreen. 

Some things are better done old school style. 

Do you know how expensive agendas and calendars can be?  Coach had beautiful ones for $150.  Papyrus had hideous ones for $35.  I found this Hermes-inspired calendar at Soolip, half off.

Can you believe it was $4.25?  2011 calendars arrive in November.

Soolip Paperie and Press
8646 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069
310.360.0545
http://www.soolip.com/

A Paige of Inspiration: Falsies

Fake eyelashes are so much fun and can make a big impact on your look!  I love wearing them when I get dressed up and I promise they are not hard to put on! :] They have big dramatic lashes and simple ones you can wear everyday. Suzanne introduced me to them and now I’m a big fan! Love them!!!
~Paige

check out my blog! xo 

Creepy Cupcakes

Ok, so you're eating the skeleton's skull... or his brains?!  The bigger question... is this too soon?  Well get ready, because I love the holidays.

A friend sent me this kit and I couldn't resist making them immediately.  They're adorable - particularly the sushi and cheeseburger ones.  You can buy them here: Cupcake Cuties.

Second to Noni

I just discovered Larchmont Village!  Once you get there, you must visit Noni Boutique.  The store features Alice and Olivia, Anna Sui, J.Brand, Black Halo and House of Harlow.

Check out the sale racks.  I scored a gorgeous Jay Godfrey dress for a song.  While you're there, say hello to owner Elaine Lewis.  She's easygoing, sweet and a fellow Virgo.

I need this Halston Heritage belt.  The earrings too.

Noni features works by local artists on her walls and hosts receptions so shoppers can meet them and get inspired. Go!

NONI
225 N Larchmont Blvd, LA
(take Beverly or 3rd Street toward Hancock Park)
323.469.3239

Birthday Bliss

Me at 3am.   I was leaving my birthday party at The London just as The Biebs was entering.  Apparently we have the same bedtime.

Miu Miu heels, BCBG dress (seen here!), purse from Kitson, Lois Hill silver bangles.

I had a blast on my birthday!  Check out the most incredible post on my party by the chic and hilarious Korean Yenta here!

A Paige of Inspiration: Pencil Skirts

In the 1940’s Christian Dior introduced the pencil skirt. I think every girl should have one in their closet!  There are so many different uses. You can dress them up or down.  I love wearing a pencil skirt to my performances and out with my girlfriends.  It's one of my favorite pieces of clothing.

~Paige

Looking for more inspiring images? Click on my name! xo

Treasure Hunting

I found lots of things at The Pasadena City College Flea Market this past weekend. 

I picked up the earrings and wooden necklace for $20.

These vintage peacocks were white gold, around $300.  I didn't bring that much cash, so I moved on.  The $15 dotted purse reminded me of something my mom had back in the day.  I vaguely remember biting off the plastic dots.

I loved this magazine rack instantly.  It had to come home with me.  Tip: Ask the seller the price if it isn't listed.  Make your rounds and return to barter.  Prices drop as the day goes on!

Jewelry arranged nicely is easier on the eye, but it's more expensive.  The stuff on the left, $20-$40.  The stuff on the right?  $2!

Taclking the $2 bins.  I liked this ring, but I didn't get it.  Only get what you love.

I loved this $5 scalloped purse instantly and wore it out to dinner for my birthday.  I recently wore the tribal necklace the with vintage silver earrings from my mother.

Don't let me forget about the budding businesses!  I fell in love with these dainty necklaces by k bird designs.   Her online shop doesn't list much, so if you see something you like in the photo, email here: kellycalling@aol.com

Garlic Noodles Galore!

After a marathon shopping day at South Coast Plaza, my mom and I stopped by AnQi for happy hour.  (They call it Red Hour and here's the menu.)  The gourmet Vietnamese-fusion bistro is owned by the An Family, whose most famous spot is Crustacean in Beverly Hills.

So of course I had to order the famous garlic noodles!  I could eat these all day long.  Carbs. Yes.

The beef satay was $6 and juicy.  I wanted another round.

The Crispy Chicken Rice Rolls tasted just like egg rolls to moi.  I do love an egg roll.  $6 an order.

Some concoction...

The view in the powder room.  I didn't even get a pic of the catwalk in the middle of the restaurant!  Check it out here. 

My Birthday Suit

Okay, it's a dress.  Everybody calm down.  Deep breaths.

Gimme a sec to reapply my lip gloss.

I'm not even a lemonade person and The London's acai lemonade is my favorite drink on the menu!

My $5 purse (thanks Pasadena Flea Market), Moschino shoes and my birthday present (aka my new baby).

Vintage Japanese beetle earrings to match one of my favorite D&G dresses.

From Russia With Love

Before JLo, Adriana Lima, Penelope Cruz, Eva Mendes and even Kim Kardashian, Cindy Crawford was there for me.  Growing up with all blonde Barbies can do a number on a girl when you're Latina and your mom is a blue-eyed blonde.  Girls need someone (who kind of looks like us) to look up to.

Here she is on billboards for Moscow's TsUM, Eastern Europe's largest fashion department store. She's 44. Go girl.

Paige of Inspiration: Baby Animals

Baby animals….there is nothing more to say.

~Paige

Red Red Wine

"God made Cabernet Sauvignon, whereas the Devil made Pinot Noir."

If only every cab could be Opus One, Silver Oak or Groth Reserve! And may the last drop I drink be from the legendary Chateau Léoville Las Cases... okay, back to reality.  There are shoes to buy and bills to be paid.

Here are some of my favorite reds.  Not a cab on the list, yet lots of pinots.  Strap on your seat belt.

• Roessler Cellars Bluejay Anderson Valley Pinot Noir - ($30-$35, 90 points)  When I was living in Atlanta, I purchased a bottle of this on name alone.  It was so memorable I tried to buy it online, but it was sold out.  I joined the wine club just so I get a surprise bottle every so often in the mail.  It's one of my little joys.
• Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Merlot - ($13-$25, 88 points) The price of this wine jumps all over the place, so get it when it's cheap.  Every time I serve it, someone admires the wine and asks what they're drinking.  They're always surprised it's KJ.
• Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez Valley Syrah - ($20, 92 points)  A cook a mean petite filet and this big and bold red pairs perfectly with it.  It would be spectacular with lamb too.  A steal for the quality and not for the faint of heart!
• Francis Coppola Diamond Pinot Noir - ($12-$20) Easy to drink and summery, I was seduced by all of the Coppola wines after visiting the vineyard in Napa. The winery seems straight out of a film (naturally).  It's dark and sexy and built like one of those homes in the Godfather.  Not to break the spell, but I love pairing this pinot with hamburgers!
• Cambria 2006 Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir ($18-$23, 93 points)  Wine Enthusiast calls this the best Pinot Noir at this price on the market and number one of their top 100 wines. Here's how they describe it.  Absolutely dry and silky, with complex flavors of cherries, Mandarin orange, cola, pomegranates, licorice and cinnamon spice, made even richer by smoky oak. How could you resist?
• Francis Coppola Sofia Rose - ($12-$16) This deep pink wine is nothing like a white zinfandel. The finish is dry and I couldn't resist the sexy bottle.  Perfect for our dwindling summer afternoons and gorgeous as a hostess gift.

Shall We Chardonnay?

I like to cook with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food. - Unknown

I've received lots of emails from those of you just getting into wine, or want to bring something special to someone's party.  Love this!

I'm a California girl and love our wines, so I'm going to pick some of my tried and true favorites.  These chardonnays are easily available in Cali.  I went for six that instantly came to mind, so if you see one of your favorite whites missing, please share your recommendations in the comments section.

• Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay - ($35-$45, 93 Points) My mother introduced me to this splurge.  Cakebread used to be my fave chardonnay to blow money on, but Chalk Hill is even better.
• Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - ($15-$25) I see half-bottles of this wine in nearly every mini-bar across the country.  Don't be put off by it and give it a try.   
• La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - ($12-$25, 90 points)  What restaurant doesn't offer this wine?  It's consistent and better than Kendall Jackson, which is nearly always on the menu with La Crema.  The extra two dollars a glass is worth it.
• Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Chardonnay - ($20-$25, 90 points)  I have special memories associated with this wine. When I turned 21, it was one the first bottles I ever ordered in a restaurant.  It was at Patina (which I believe is now Providence?) and it was light and fruity and I still enjoy it with fish and chicken.
• Acacia Carneros Chardonnay - ($12-$25) This is what I keep in my home at all times and buy in bulk when it goes on sale.  It's what I usually have with dinner at home, unless I'm drinking red! 
• Gainey Chardonnay - ($20, 92 points) I visited this charming Santa Barbara vineyard around Halloween one year and I remember thousands of pumpkins on the drive up.  Not only is this winery worth a visit, this wine that doesn't get the same attention as the others, but stands up to the rest.

Here are some budget-friendly wines under $10:  Coppola Chardonnay, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Kendall Jackson, Clos du Bois.

There is a Spanish saying that goes...  Good wine ruins the purse; bad wine ruins the stomach!